P. D. Crowe, Wax
Sculptress
Wax sculpting might bring to mind the image of a candle carver, but though I
love carving and candles, the sculptures I make are the prototypes for jewelry
and miniature collectibles. From the original image of the item desired, it is
my job to create a three-dimensional object (the model) in wax. Each item can
take many hours or even days to complete. Every detail must be clean and as
perfect as possible to express a faithful image of the original design.
Casting
The wax model is then sent to a caster whose job it is to transform the model
into a more durable medium (metal) through the "lost wax" casting
process. In that process, the model is embedded into a liquid plaster-like
substance which in its curing, hardens around the model which has a wax
"sproue", or "gate" attached to permit access of the flow
of the metal. This plaster is called the investment, and it is contained in a
metal cylinder, or flask. After the investment has hardened, the flask is baked
until the wax model melts away completely, leaving a negative space inside the
investment. This is where the term "lost wax" comes from. A casting
failure at this point will truly mean a lost wax, and the original will have to
be done all over again! Finally, molten metal is introduced to the negative
cavity in the investment through the negative cavity/channel created when the
wax sproue melted away in the baking. The result is a positive metal
duplication of the original wax model.
Finishing and
Production
Finally, when the original metal model is cast, it goes to the finishers who
will enhance the surface by cleaning up any casting imperfections and smooth
and polish it to the final shine. The individual pieces must go through a
polishing by various grits of polishing compounds until they shine perfectly
with a mirror finish.Each step of the process is a specialty art in itself! For
production, the original metal model which was cast from the original wax model
must be molded before going to the final finish; usually by a latex rubber or
silicon-based medium. Hot molten wax will then be pressure-injected into this
mold, making another wax model (copy) and then the whole process repeats itself
again. (...and you wonder why jewelry costs so much?:)
"Herstory"
I got my start in Philadelphia in 1972 and worked there in the jewelry trade
first as the modelmaker for My Jewel Shop, then as a freelance artist from my
own studio for local manufacturers and custom jewelry stores. Along the way, I
met many talented and wonderful folks who helped me learn more about the
practical, technical, and business aspects of the jewelry trade. Over the
course of the next 23 years, I was fortunate to include clients from all over
the United States by communicating through the mail.
In 1995, I was privileged to meet Chip deMatteo and left Philadelphia to work with him and "the family" at Hand & Hammer Silversmiths in Virginia. Since I love doing sculpture items rather than "straight line jewelry", this was a wonderful opportunity for me to really express myself as a sculptor.
Whether carving wax or wood (I do songbirds in wood.. but that's another topic) it's a great feeling to know that my work will live on after I am gone and that the items I create often become heirlooms with sentimental value for generations to come. Knowing my work has helped someone express an emotion or image as a gift or keepsake is probably the greatest reward of my profession!
